Chapter 1433 - 642: Jin Gui (2)

If he hadn’t received a temporary order and quickly brushed up on the case documents, he might not have been able to respond.

With the galloping of his strong horse, the plump general, whose body swayed up and down, now showed a playful expression on his face, not a bit willing to slow down the marching speed of the army, continuing straight towards Thunder City, as if intending to collide into Thunder City head-on with the army.

"And now, why is Thunder City activating the City Protection Formation? Could they not see our bright and shining flag? The one that represents the Capital, represents the mandate of the Da Xia Dynasty!"

"Sir, I think, even if we gave this frontier town the courage of heaven, they wouldn’t dare defy the Da Xia Dynasty, defy the royal mandate! This act of theirs is probably simply... because they are frightened by our army."

"Hahahahahaha!"

As soon as the Deputy General finished speaking, the plump general couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

"People in this frontier land are just cowardly! They opened the grand array hurriedly at the mere sight of tens of thousands of them—a sign of being scared out of their wits! How can they ensure the safety of the common people, ensure the safety of the world with such cowardice! No wonder this place could produce a Great Demon who self-proclaimed as emperor; it must have been perpetuated by these cowardly folks! Speak! Who is the Lord of the Mansion within their city? Lacking such courage, I intend to properly instruct this fellow later!"

"Reporting to Sir, the Lord of Thunder City is Nan Ruweng, a native of Thunder City. However... according to the case documents, sir, the Tongtian Ten Pillars of Thunder City do not seem to be under the control of the Foolish Underworld, but actually managed by local aristocrats, totaling ten family forces that control the City Protection Ten Pillars."

"What? Hmph! A bunch of worthless beings! As members of the court, they can’t even manage a single city! That’s why a small place is a small place!"

The plump general blew his beard and glared, seemingly a bit aggravated.

The Foolish Underworld stands as the force of the Official Office, the extension of court power, the representational force of imperial authority.

Even with such a background, still harnessed by local family forces, illustrates how utterly worthless and useless the Foolish Underworld of Thunder City is!

If he were not tasked with heavy responsibility, not capable of delay, he would necessarily rectify Thunder City’s chaos! Let those indigenous aristocrats understand clear as day, who is actually the boss on this land! It’s outrageous!

"Sir, don’t be upset, keep the greater picture in mind! Once Demon Capital is destroyed, earning a major achievement, then Sir can do whatever you wish!"

The Deputy General, soberly pleased, is also why the plump general always keeps the Deputy General by his side no matter what he does.

At the indication of the plump general, a small squad of cavalry separated from the army swiftly charging towards Thunder City.

...

Thunder City, Rebel Army stronghold.

"Sir, do you still remember Ji Xiangsong from the pawnshop?"

Fang Yu had just returned to the stronghold with his men when Yu Ji, waiting at the gate, stepped up to speak.

Fang Yu frowned.

Ji Xiangsong? Old Ji?

"Remember, what’s the matter?"

"Earlier this morning, someone found him, bearing your name, sir, requesting the Rebel Army to help his entire family escape from Thunder City."

Fang Yu was puzzled.

Do I have such a significant presence?

However, upon thinking again, the folks beneath seemingly weren’t aware of his discord with the Rebel Army top brass; he’s still nominally the Rebel Army Minister.

"Who wants to use my name to get things done?"

"Sir probably knows him. I asked, and that person is Xiong Rudong, Hall Master of the Forest Snake Gang."

Fang Yu’s expression slackened suddenly.

It’s him.

Placed Song Xi with Song Zhenrong, then Ding Hui brought Song Zhenrong to settle, while Fang Yu pondered right there for a while.

"Where is he now?"

"Ji Xiangsong brought people to hold him down. We can’t allow him to speak indiscriminately... Would you like to see him, sir?"

Fang Yu thought for a moment, slightly shook his head.

"No need. But tell the people below to treat him well, send a message saying... I’ll try my best to arrange for his family’s departure from Thunder City."

Lu Qiaochun was shocked.

"Distinguished sir, arranging someone to leave Thunder City is not an easy task right now."

"I’ll discuss this with other Ministers, you don’t have to handle it."

"Understood!"

Fang Yu realized that he currently has no credibility in the Rebel Army, essentially sidelined out of power.

Yet, owing to his rapport with Qiu Xiaoping, merely facilitating Xiong Rudong’s family’s departure from Thunder City should... bear some possibility.

After all, even if Thunder City blocks exits, it should only target the Rebel Army or powerful entities; Xiong Rudong’s caliber probably doesn’t qualify as a target for blockade. If intent on leaving, Foolish Underworld and Ten Major Families might not dispatch forces to hinder them.

Certainly, lacking connections, leaving isn’t effortlessly easy either.

After sending Lu Qiaochun for tasks, Yu Ji, who had been silently observing, then led Qin Er to quietly report.

"Distinguished sir, this Liu Qiner said that during your absence, Lord Hei Lian, along with some others, departed the Rebel Army, intending to flee from Thunder City, witnessed by her own eyes."

Fang Yu slightly raised an eyebrow, casting a glance at Qin Er.

"Why speak of this to me? Tell Qiu Xiaoping instead."

Crash!

Qin Er knelt directly.

"Lord Qiu vows to coexist with the Rebel Army, no other Ministers that Qin Er has the standing to meet except Mr. Diao... Mr. Diao, if you’re leaving Thunder City, could you, perhaps, take Qin Er along? Qin Er can do laundry, cook, Qin Er can do anything..."

Yet, before Qin Er finished speaking, Fang Yu already impatiently waved his hand, instructing Yu Ji to take the person away, while he moved towards the Minister’s meeting hall.

If I had that ability, could leave anytime, I’d have long led Ding Hui away, rather than return to this stronghold.

Yet Fang Yu’s gesture evidently sparked misunderstanding in Qin Er, instantly shaking her soul to rock bottom.

"Miss Liu, under Thunder City’s current circumstances, taking someone out isn’t effortless; sir likely is sincerely powerless," Yu Ji consoled.

"But Mr. Diao just mentioned assisting Xiong Rudong’s family to leave Thunder City? He surely possesses ability! He surely bears resentment against me! Hence... hence..."

In her haste, tears brimmed Qin Er’s eyes but held back from falling.

Suddenly, she peered at Yu Ji as if clutching at her life-saving straw, grasping Yu Ji’s wrist in impulse.

"Lord Yu! Help me! I don’t want to perish in Thunder City! Considering Hall Master Xiong Rudong’s family could leave, adding one person shouldn’t be an issue! If you arrange this affair subtly and sneak me out, let me leave the city!"

Yu Ji’s face portrayed difficulty.

"This... I cannot promise things lightly."

"Lord Yu, if you don’t aid me, Qin Er surely faces doom!"

"...I’ll try to speak favorably in front of Mr. Diao, see if he might arrange something. That’s the most I can promise, though."

Though Qin Er couldn’t conceal disappointment on her face, she sincerely thanked Yu Ji for his care.

On the other hand, Fang Yu had already stepped into the hall.

Only seen were the four main Ministers of the Rebel Army, guarding the hall still, without a hint of motion.

Nonetheless, that doesn’t mean action wasn’t taken.

News from various sources, numerous Rebel Army directives, were being executed right here and instructed to be relayed to various strongholds.

However, the reason for their concentrated presence at this location was not based on their disposition, but likely on the Deputy Commander or President’s decision.

Nonetheless, to this day, Fang Yu hadn’t encountered the President, nor even seen the Deputy Commander save a fleeting glance followed by departure, presumably due to some urgency.

Recalling the intelligence from the Deputy Commander regarding the Master of Foolish Earth Mansion’s demise—a piece of secret intelligence without external stir—it’s likely the Rebel Army high brass paid a great price for it.

Maybe... the President was injured obtaining the intelligence?

Fang Yu mused silently, and upon his appearance, the trio in seats stood synchronously.

"Brother Diao, why did you bring back a Foolish Underworld’s captain?"

"Young Master Diao did well, just troubled by the inability to obtain intelligence from the Foolish Underworld’s side, and Young Master Diao captured the man back."

"...Hmph! Who knows what he’s thinking, now that the protagonist arrived, may I proceed with interrogating the prisoner?"

"No rush, first hear Minister Diao, can we interrogate this Foolish Underworld’s captain? Do we have the authority? Currently, Minister Diao stands at utmost prominence, one we dare not provoke."